As Early Voting Vontinues In Two US States, Ballot Boxes Are Set On Fire.

By Omisola Islamiyat
2 Min Read

Authorities in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, are looking into two different cases where ballot drop boxes were burned on Monday, destroying hundreds of ballots as voters cast early ballots for the presidential election on Tuesday.

First responders pull out the burning contents of a ballot box after it was set on fire in a suspected arson in Vancouver, Washington, Oct. 28, 2024, in a still image from video. (Evan Bell/ABC Affiliate KATU via Reuters)

The Associated Press reports that police believe the two incendiary device-related fires were coordinated and that a similar vehicle was observed at both locations.

They are connecting the recent events to an October 8 attack on a Vancouver ballot box that also involved the use of an incendiary device.

With almost 42 million ballots cast nationwide in early voting, the attacks coincided with increased election tensions.

Voter convenience is greatly aided by ballot drop boxes in vote-by-mail states like Oregon and Washington.

Steve Hobbs, the secretary of state for Washington, denounced the attacks as “acts of terror” that were meant to sabotage the democratic process.Hobbs declared, “I vehemently condemn any acts of terror that seek to obstruct legitimate and equitable elections in the state of Washington.”

In order to verify that their ballots have been received, voters were advised to check their status online.To make sure their vote is counted, voters can visit their local elections office or print a replacement ballot if theirs is marked as “not received.”A few weeks prior to election day, ballots are mailed to all registered voters in Washington and Oregon. Return options include dropping them off in drop boxes or mailing them back.

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